In this year’s IFJ Junior, 15 Rising Rural Stars were profiled and their passion and potential has been inspiring. While they range in age from six to 18 years old, what is evident throughout is that these young people are the ones to watch.
The 15 finalists have been invited to the Irish Farmers Journal stand [Block: 4, Stand: 239, Row: 11] on Tuesday 16 September at the National Ploughing Championships as we celebrate the future of rural Ireland.
On the day, we will be hosting a prize-giving ceremony, which kicks off at 3.45pm and is suitable for the whole family. Come along, meet the Rising Rural Stars and enjoy plenty of entertainment at the stand.
Ollie and Finn Dawdry
An appreciation of nature leads identical twins Ollie and Finn Dawdry to describe their family farm in a picturesque corner of north Sligo as a “cool place to live”. The nine-year-old boys, who have just finished second class at Carn NS, near Grange, have reached the final of the Irish Farmers Journal Rising Rural Stars competition after being nominated by their proud mammy, Karen.
Joe Ó Murchú
Joe Ó Murchú is an Irish speaking farming enthusiast. Pictured at his grandad's farm Quinsboro, Monasterevin, Co Kildare.\ Claire Nash
At 11 years of age, Joe Ó Murchú is a busy young farmer. Most weekends he can be found on his grandad Michael McCormack’s farm in Kildare where he farms with his aunt Ger.
“I like working with the sheep and I try to get there as much as I can,” he says.
There are over 150 sheep to keep an eye on, with Joe explaining that there’s a good mix of breeds – Texels, Belclares, Cheviots and Suffolks.
Conor William
Sheehan
Conor William Sheehan, Lissaniskey, Upton, Co Cork. Rising Rural Star. \ Donal O'Leary
Conor William Sheehan lives for hurling and already has his own business making and repairing hurleys, which he has plans to develop into his career. Like most young lads in Cork, Conor is obsessed with hurling at the moment. He was in the GAA grounds with his dad Derek for their epic Munster final win. From Upton, 20km outside Cork city, the 15-year-old has been obsessed with hurling and hurleys for years.
Fia Finnerty
Eight-year-old Junior Farmer, Fia Finnerty with some of her own sheep on the family farm at Dromard, Co Sligo. \ James Connolly
There are CEOs who have a less hectic schedule than Fia Finnerty. Aged eight years old and in first class in High Park NS, she juggles her school day alongside athletics, soccer, Gaelic football, Irish dancing, speech and drama, and, most importantly, farming. Fia lives with her mother and father Eileen and Francis, as well as her two older brothers Niall (12) and JJ (10), outside the village of Dromard, Co Sligo.
Scott Jones
Young farmer Scott Jones, Kenagh, Co Longford. \ Lorraine Teevan
Ten-year-old Scott Jones grew up on a pedigree Hereford and Angus farm in Creagh, Co Longford. Son to William and Jennifer, he has one younger sister, Pippa, who is six years old. When asked why he believes he is a rising star, he responded: “Well, in the last number of years I’ve had a lot of success in the show ring.”
Cillian Murphy
12-year-old Cillian Murphy a young farmer championing the cause of safety in agricultural environments in which has been raising awareness about the potential hazards on farms and educating both young and old about the importance of implementing safety measures. \ Michael McLaughlin
“From the moment those little wellies could fit, Cillian has been a growing inspiration to other farming children, especially in promoting farm safety,” says his mum, Fiona Murphy. Hailing from the wild west of Ireland, Cillian Murphy lives in the countryside in Newport, Co Mayo, surrounded by mountains, which is the 12-year-old’s favourite place to be.
Eibhlín Clerkin
Eibhlín Clerkin is an 18-year-old farming enthusiast with a beef and poultry farm. Monaghan June 2025 for IFJ Junior Rising Star. \ Claire Nash
Eibhlín is 18 years old and just finished her first year at Dundalk Institute of Technology where she is studying agriculture. “I’m really enjoying the course. There is a lot of science and core subjects, but I guess that gives you a good grounding going forward,” she says. Agriculture was always on the cards for Eibhlín, having grown up helping her father on their poultry farm with 80,000 broilers in Co Monaghan.
Brook Morrow
Brooke Morrow and her horse Sid at their home in Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh. \ Lorraine Teevan
When 16-year-old Brooke Morrow first laid eyes on Sid, he was a scrappy, untouched Connemara cross with a fractured eye socket. But Brooke saw something in him. That instinct, raw and rooted in something deeper than ambition and much of it learned from living and working on the dairy farm, has taken Brooke and Sid from the quiet fields of Co Fermanagh all the way to the Balmoral Show.
Ruth Murtagh
Ruth Murtagh on her family farm outside Newtowncashel, Co Longford. \ Lorraine Teevan
From feeding calves, bringing home turf from the bog and kicking football for her local club, Ruth Murtagh is the essence of a rural youngster. Growing up in Newtowncashel, Co Longford, the 16-year-old got her love of farming from both sides of the family. Her father, Justin, is farming all his life and her mother, Lorraine, also comes from farming stock.
Aoibh Dully
Set dancer and volunteer Aoibh Dully photographed at the family home in Knockdomny, Co Westmeath. \ Barry Cronin
Westmeath teenager Aoibh Dully is combining her love of horses with a passion for sean-nós dancing and traditional music. Every morning, she is up early to feed the 10 horses in the yard and ride out a few of them before running out the door and eating breakfast in the car on the way to Our Lady’s Bower Secondary School in Athlone.
Blaize Sugrue
Blaize Sugrue, Blackrock, Co Cork. Rising Rural Star. \ Donal O'Leary
“Just keep running,” is the motto of 10-year-old Blaize Sugrue from Co Cork. The sports-mad youngster has tried every pursuit going, from GAA to hockey to horse riding and everything in between, but athletics is his big passion. The fourth-class student in St Luke’s NS in Douglas, Cork, has always applied an inspiring “give it a go” attitude to life and sport.
Rocco Murphy
Rocco Murphy at home in Ballynacally, Co Clare this week. \ Eamon Ward
Talented Clare performer Rocco Murphy has already appeared on stage and the big screen and is one to watch. He has just completed his junior cert at St John Bosco College, Kildysart, and thrives on performing and being part of a team. “The atmosphere behind stage leading up to the show, I love that so much. That was my favourite part,” he told IFJ Junior.
Niall Delaney
Niall Delaney on the farm at Kilclareen, Knockanroe, Templemore, Co Tipperary. \ Odhran Ducie
Growing up on the outskirts of Templemore, Co Tipperary, farming and sport are Niall Delaney’s bread and butter. An energetic and charismatic young man and the youngest of four brothers, it’s clear family, rural life and community are a big part of Niall’s values. Nominated by his mother Mary, she describes how the 17-year-old has achieved a lot in his young life.
Jack Roche
Jack Roche, Ballyarthur, Fermoy, Co Cork. Rising Rural Star. \ Donal O'Leary
At just six years of age, Jack Roche lives and breathes farm life, despite the fact that he isn’t from a farming family. Living with his family just outside Fermoy, Co Cork, Jack already has an encyclopaedic knowledge of tractors, machinery, animals, and crops. He is an enthusiastic and energetic aspiring young farmer, although none of his family are involved in agriculture.
Rhona Stafford
Rhona Stafford is a 10 year old sheep farmer who is also a kettle bell champion from Quinsboro, Monasterevin, Co Kildare. \ Claire Nash
Many farmers are naturally strong, well used to lifting bags of feed, pulling heavy gates and hauling bales of hay. Most people would call that enough, but not 11-year-old Rhona Stafford. When the work is done on the 100ha farm in Monasterevin, Co Kildare – which is beef, sheep and tillage – Rhona pulls out her kettlebells and gets lifting.
In this year’s IFJ Junior, 15 Rising Rural Stars were profiled and their passion and potential has been inspiring. While they range in age from six to 18 years old, what is evident throughout is that these young people are the ones to watch.
The 15 finalists have been invited to the Irish Farmers Journal stand [Block: 4, Stand: 239, Row: 11] on Tuesday 16 September at the National Ploughing Championships as we celebrate the future of rural Ireland.
On the day, we will be hosting a prize-giving ceremony, which kicks off at 3.45pm and is suitable for the whole family. Come along, meet the Rising Rural Stars and enjoy plenty of entertainment at the stand.
Ollie and Finn Dawdry
An appreciation of nature leads identical twins Ollie and Finn Dawdry to describe their family farm in a picturesque corner of north Sligo as a “cool place to live”. The nine-year-old boys, who have just finished second class at Carn NS, near Grange, have reached the final of the Irish Farmers Journal Rising Rural Stars competition after being nominated by their proud mammy, Karen.
Joe Ó Murchú
Joe Ó Murchú is an Irish speaking farming enthusiast. Pictured at his grandad's farm Quinsboro, Monasterevin, Co Kildare.\ Claire Nash
At 11 years of age, Joe Ó Murchú is a busy young farmer. Most weekends he can be found on his grandad Michael McCormack’s farm in Kildare where he farms with his aunt Ger.
“I like working with the sheep and I try to get there as much as I can,” he says.
There are over 150 sheep to keep an eye on, with Joe explaining that there’s a good mix of breeds – Texels, Belclares, Cheviots and Suffolks.
Conor William
Sheehan
Conor William Sheehan, Lissaniskey, Upton, Co Cork. Rising Rural Star. \ Donal O'Leary
Conor William Sheehan lives for hurling and already has his own business making and repairing hurleys, which he has plans to develop into his career. Like most young lads in Cork, Conor is obsessed with hurling at the moment. He was in the GAA grounds with his dad Derek for their epic Munster final win. From Upton, 20km outside Cork city, the 15-year-old has been obsessed with hurling and hurleys for years.
Fia Finnerty
Eight-year-old Junior Farmer, Fia Finnerty with some of her own sheep on the family farm at Dromard, Co Sligo. \ James Connolly
There are CEOs who have a less hectic schedule than Fia Finnerty. Aged eight years old and in first class in High Park NS, she juggles her school day alongside athletics, soccer, Gaelic football, Irish dancing, speech and drama, and, most importantly, farming. Fia lives with her mother and father Eileen and Francis, as well as her two older brothers Niall (12) and JJ (10), outside the village of Dromard, Co Sligo.
Scott Jones
Young farmer Scott Jones, Kenagh, Co Longford. \ Lorraine Teevan
Ten-year-old Scott Jones grew up on a pedigree Hereford and Angus farm in Creagh, Co Longford. Son to William and Jennifer, he has one younger sister, Pippa, who is six years old. When asked why he believes he is a rising star, he responded: “Well, in the last number of years I’ve had a lot of success in the show ring.”
Cillian Murphy
12-year-old Cillian Murphy a young farmer championing the cause of safety in agricultural environments in which has been raising awareness about the potential hazards on farms and educating both young and old about the importance of implementing safety measures. \ Michael McLaughlin
“From the moment those little wellies could fit, Cillian has been a growing inspiration to other farming children, especially in promoting farm safety,” says his mum, Fiona Murphy. Hailing from the wild west of Ireland, Cillian Murphy lives in the countryside in Newport, Co Mayo, surrounded by mountains, which is the 12-year-old’s favourite place to be.
Eibhlín Clerkin
Eibhlín Clerkin is an 18-year-old farming enthusiast with a beef and poultry farm. Monaghan June 2025 for IFJ Junior Rising Star. \ Claire Nash
Eibhlín is 18 years old and just finished her first year at Dundalk Institute of Technology where she is studying agriculture. “I’m really enjoying the course. There is a lot of science and core subjects, but I guess that gives you a good grounding going forward,” she says. Agriculture was always on the cards for Eibhlín, having grown up helping her father on their poultry farm with 80,000 broilers in Co Monaghan.
Brook Morrow
Brooke Morrow and her horse Sid at their home in Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh. \ Lorraine Teevan
When 16-year-old Brooke Morrow first laid eyes on Sid, he was a scrappy, untouched Connemara cross with a fractured eye socket. But Brooke saw something in him. That instinct, raw and rooted in something deeper than ambition and much of it learned from living and working on the dairy farm, has taken Brooke and Sid from the quiet fields of Co Fermanagh all the way to the Balmoral Show.
Ruth Murtagh
Ruth Murtagh on her family farm outside Newtowncashel, Co Longford. \ Lorraine Teevan
From feeding calves, bringing home turf from the bog and kicking football for her local club, Ruth Murtagh is the essence of a rural youngster. Growing up in Newtowncashel, Co Longford, the 16-year-old got her love of farming from both sides of the family. Her father, Justin, is farming all his life and her mother, Lorraine, also comes from farming stock.
Aoibh Dully
Set dancer and volunteer Aoibh Dully photographed at the family home in Knockdomny, Co Westmeath. \ Barry Cronin
Westmeath teenager Aoibh Dully is combining her love of horses with a passion for sean-nós dancing and traditional music. Every morning, she is up early to feed the 10 horses in the yard and ride out a few of them before running out the door and eating breakfast in the car on the way to Our Lady’s Bower Secondary School in Athlone.
Blaize Sugrue
Blaize Sugrue, Blackrock, Co Cork. Rising Rural Star. \ Donal O'Leary
“Just keep running,” is the motto of 10-year-old Blaize Sugrue from Co Cork. The sports-mad youngster has tried every pursuit going, from GAA to hockey to horse riding and everything in between, but athletics is his big passion. The fourth-class student in St Luke’s NS in Douglas, Cork, has always applied an inspiring “give it a go” attitude to life and sport.
Rocco Murphy
Rocco Murphy at home in Ballynacally, Co Clare this week. \ Eamon Ward
Talented Clare performer Rocco Murphy has already appeared on stage and the big screen and is one to watch. He has just completed his junior cert at St John Bosco College, Kildysart, and thrives on performing and being part of a team. “The atmosphere behind stage leading up to the show, I love that so much. That was my favourite part,” he told IFJ Junior.
Niall Delaney
Niall Delaney on the farm at Kilclareen, Knockanroe, Templemore, Co Tipperary. \ Odhran Ducie
Growing up on the outskirts of Templemore, Co Tipperary, farming and sport are Niall Delaney’s bread and butter. An energetic and charismatic young man and the youngest of four brothers, it’s clear family, rural life and community are a big part of Niall’s values. Nominated by his mother Mary, she describes how the 17-year-old has achieved a lot in his young life.
Jack Roche
Jack Roche, Ballyarthur, Fermoy, Co Cork. Rising Rural Star. \ Donal O'Leary
At just six years of age, Jack Roche lives and breathes farm life, despite the fact that he isn’t from a farming family. Living with his family just outside Fermoy, Co Cork, Jack already has an encyclopaedic knowledge of tractors, machinery, animals, and crops. He is an enthusiastic and energetic aspiring young farmer, although none of his family are involved in agriculture.
Rhona Stafford
Rhona Stafford is a 10 year old sheep farmer who is also a kettle bell champion from Quinsboro, Monasterevin, Co Kildare. \ Claire Nash
Many farmers are naturally strong, well used to lifting bags of feed, pulling heavy gates and hauling bales of hay. Most people would call that enough, but not 11-year-old Rhona Stafford. When the work is done on the 100ha farm in Monasterevin, Co Kildare – which is beef, sheep and tillage – Rhona pulls out her kettlebells and gets lifting.
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